Bengaluru Rain Tragedy: Elderly Man, Child Die from Electric Shock Draining Floodwater

Bengaluru’s pre-monsoon deluge on May 18-19, 2025, turned deadly when a 63-year-old man, Manmohan Kamath, and a 12-year-old boy, Dinesh, were electrocuted while attempting to drain floodwater from a basement at Madhuvan Apartments in BTM Layout. The incident, one of three rain-related deaths reported, highlights the city’s infrastructure failures as it grapples with severe waterlogging and a yellow alert for more rain.

Fatal Incident Unfolds
According to the police, the incident happened on Monday evening at around 6:15 pm. A short circuit triggered a fatal electric shock, killing both instantly, police confirmed. The Mico Layout police rushed the victims to St. John’s Hospital for post-mortems, with Deputy Commissioner Sarah Fathima noting the motor’s faulty connection as the cause. The 130mm rainfall in 12 hours exacerbated flooding, making such tasks perilous.

City Paralyzed by Floods
Roads turned into rivers, stranding commuters and flooding over 100 homes. The IMD’s forecast of rain until May 24 keeps the city on edge.

Infrastructure Under Fire
The electrocution highlights Bengaluru’s electrical safety gaps. Floodwater, laden with sewage and salts, damages wiring, increasing shock risks. BESCOM advises replacing flooded electrical systems, costing households up to ₹7 lakh. Critics blame BBMP for neglecting drain upgrades, with over 210 flood-prone areas identified. Karnataka’s Deputy CM DK Shivakumar promised inspections, but residents demand long-term solutions.

Call for Action
The tragedy has sparked outrage, with residents and opposition leaders slamming the Congress-led government. The BJP demanded ₹1,000 crore for relief, mocking Bengaluru’s “Brand” image. As the city mourns, urgent reforms in drainage and electrical safety are critical to prevent future losses.